Re: New Nicholas & Alexandra Video - Mini Series? Part II

[edubs31]

I'm about 2/3rds of the way through the final draft revise. A lot of formatting to do so its in an acceptable screenplay style format. I've also had to make some tough choices in cutting a lot of our scenes in the interest of getting this script down to a semi-reasonable length.

Been slow going as I've had a lot on my plate lately. Like to think I might have it all wrapped up in a couple of months...a mere four years after we began this endeavor :-)

[TimM]

a mere four years after we began this endeavor

It's been four years since you began this?

Where does the time go!?

[JamesAPrattIII]

Hi Eb
Keep up the good work I will have some additions and errata for you. Which I hope you find interesting.

[Kalafrana]

Hello Eric

Will you be making the final draft available to contributors?

I am look forward to reading it.

Ann

[TimM]

I agree.  This is a very good update of Nicholas & Alexandra.  A lot of new info has been uncovered since 1971, when the original film was made.

[edubs31]

a mere four years after we began this endeavor

It's been four years since you began this?

Where does the time go!?

Yeah pretty wild! Lots of changes on here since then (member wise at least).

James) Thanks as always

Ann) Possibly. Or I might be more inclined to send it to you directly...Not sure how much more back and forth I can handle on this but I certainly always appreciate your input and contributions.

[Kalafrana]

Hello Eric

Please do send it directly.

I will PM you with my normal email address when you're ready.

Ann

[JamesAPrattIII]

Hi Eb

Could you send me a copy too. I would like to look at it and no doubt I will have some errata for it.

Some of the things I was thinking of adding:

A beginning Alexander IIs assassination and aftermath

The IF train wreck note Alexander III did not hold the roof up while the family crawled out.

two officials discussing Alexander IIIs death and reign.

Let me know if you are interested.

[TimM]

Yeah, James, you wrote your own version too.

It would be nice if one, or both, versions were actually produced. 

As I said, they could actually shoot it in Russia, using the actual palaces (assuming the proper permits could be acquired to shoot in said palaces).   And I imagine the Russian Government would want a wazoo of hard cash for all this.

[JamesAPrattIII]

Tim
I don't know if shooting scenes of a remake of N&A in Russia would be possible now do to one reason: Vladimir Putin no one knows what he is going to do next. First there is his seizure of the Crimea, then there is the conflict in the Ukraine which is probably going to last for years. I understand many members of the entertainment community are upset because of Putin's anti-LGBT policies and his treatment of the band pussy riot. If filming is done in Russia there is a possibility filming might be interrupted by another crisis breaking out like with one of the Baltic states.

I to think I co-wrote this script.

The rewrites I have planed are do to new information like Nelpa's book on Alexander III

[TimM]

I guess the idea of war breaking out at any given moment might make them hesitate. 

Ironic that Russia now is very much like Tsarist Russia.

[JamesAPrattIII]

Tim
I would say pre-WWI Tsarist Russia was pretty stable except during the period of the 1905 revolution 1905-08. Nicholas may have been a lot of things but he was not a dictator on the march ready to start a war like Putin.

On filming the new N&A if it ever happens they may not have to do most of the filming in Russia. They can use CG Computer generated special effects for the outdoor scenes ect.

[TimM]

I wasn't specifying Nicholas II.  I should have been more specific, as Tsarist Russia was not always constant, with some Tsars being more repressive than others.

However, Putin is an autocrat, who has partnered up with the ROC.  The persecution against gays could be compared to the pogroms.   So there are echoes of the Tsarist era.

However, this is not the place to be discussing this.  Sorry for knocking this thread off track.


You're right about CGI.  If they can create alien worlds, then Imperial Russia would be snap.

[JamesAPrattIII]

A revised beginning based on the books Alexander II the Last great Tsar, Alexander II and Once a grand Duke

The program begins scene of the Russian Empire a caption 1881 the Russian Empire is ruled by a progressive reform mind Tsar Alexander II the Serf were freed and the country is being modernized. Unfortunately a side effect of these changes led to the formation led to the formation of the world's first modern terrorists who have tried 6 times to kill Alexander II (montage of scenes of assassination attempts.
Scene shifts Alexander II: 'What do these scoundrels want from me? Why do they want to destroy me like a wild animal?"

(Scene: 1 March 1881 Alexander II is in his study reading some documents)
Minister of the Interior Michael T Loris-Melikov: do my recommendations meet with your approval sire?
Alexander II: Yes! (sign paper) Call a meeting for the council of Ministers for the 4th to promulgate the law. I hope this day will be remembered in history (stands up) and now I am off to review the guards. (walks out of the room meets his sons Alexander and Vladimir waiting just outside)
Alexander II: "I gave my consent to this proposal but not concealing from myself that we are heading on the road to a constitution." ( Alexander II walks on scene fades)

Scene Alexander II is finished reviewing the guards and is riding back to the palace in his escorted carriage the carriage is going down the Catherine  Canal when a student Nicholas Rysakov throws a bomb at the carriage it explodes and there is a cloud of white smoke. Rysakov is knocked into a fence as the smoke clears. a dying boy who was carrying a basket of meat is on the ground crying in pain. A Cossack outrider lies dead behind the carriage that is stopped. A wounded pedestrian leans against a fence while a policeman nearby is struggling to his feet. Ryaskov gets up and starts to run.

Ryaskov: "There he goes get him"
(A workman throws a crowbar at his feet tripping him. Policemen and 4 soldiers grab him and hold him in crouching position. They search him and find a revolver and dagger under his coat)
(scene shifts Alexander II gets out of his damaged carriage looking upset and a little unsteady then crosses himself. Colonel Dvorzhitsky gets out of a following sleigh and runs to him.)
Dvorzhitsky: Are you alright sire?
Alexander II:"Thank god I am not wounded"
Rysakov;"Tell my father they got me!"
Dvorzhitsky: Sire! you must leave without delay!
Coachman Frol: Sire! You need to get back in the carriage and go on!
(Alexander II turns and walks towards Ryaskov. Dvorzhitsky follows to his left along with 4 dismounted Cossaks  of the convoy leading their horses
Soldier (a Jr Lieutenant) "How is the Tsar?" (he doesn't recognized the Tsar at first then salutes him)
Alexander II (approaching): "Thank god I'm fine but look (points to the dead cossak and dying boy)
Captain Koch (of the escort): Sire he says his name is Gryaznov or Gryazov I couldn't make it out and is of the middle class.
Alexander II: "A fine one" (shakes his finger at him turns and walks away)
Dvorzhitsky: Sire! I request that you get in my sleigh and leave!
Alexander II: (stops and pauses): "All right, but first show me the site of the explosion."

Too be continued)

[JamesAPrattIII]

Part 2

Rusakov: "It is thanks to god."

(Scene Alexander II walks over to blast site surrounded by Cossacks soldiers, sailors then starts pacing when a young man Ignati Grignevitsky throws a bomb that lands at the Tsars feat there is a large explosion and a cloud of white smoke. As the smoke slowly clears revealing dead including  Grignevitsky, wounded wreckage fragments of clothing and chunks of human flesh. The wounded Dvorzhitsky raises himself off the ground he hears the faint voice of Alexander II "help!" Dvorzhitsky and others run to him. Scene shifts to Alexander II back leaning against the canal railing cap missing tattered overcoat blown off shoulders, legs shattered and bleeding face pale and bleeding.)
Alexander II (weak voice): "Cold Cold"

(Scene shifts a crowd gathers passers by, police, junkers from the Pavlosk military school, soldiers sailors and others. A carriage comes racing up and Grand Duke Michael Nichaelovich (Alexander IIs brother) jumps out and pushes through the crowd. Alexander II is loaded on to Dvorzhitsky's sleigh by sailors, Junkers, and a bystander Ivan Emeryann (another assassin). LTC Count Hendrikov put his cap on Alexander IIs head)
Micheal (leans close to Alexander II) Can you hear me!
Alexander II (weak voice) "Can hear"
Micheal: How do your feel?
Alexander II:" Hurry...to the palace"
Staff Captain Frank: I beg your pardon your highness may I suggest we take the Emporer to one of these nearby houses and render first aid?
Alexander II;"carry me to the palace..there ...to die" passes out
(The sleigh takes off scene shift as Alexander II is carried into his study and put on his camp bed. Scene shifts later on the future Alexander III and his wife and other Grand Dukes and Duchesses arrive while doctors treat the dying tsar. Also in the room is Princes Yuryevskaya (Alexander IIs Morganic wife) cover in her husbands blood. Then in walks 13 year old Nicholas trying to avoid stepping in blood. his father leads him to the bed)
Alexander III: "Papa your sunbeam is here"
(Alexander II eyebrows shake eyes open, tries to smile and moves a finger. Nicholas steps back a little while later a doctor holds Alexander IIs wrist for a pulse nods releases his wrist)
Doctor "The Emperor has passed away."
(Yuryevskaya collapses to the floor the rest of the family kneels around the body of Alexander II then rises Alexander III with a look of determination in his eyes while the rest stand at attention.)
Chief of police (looking small) "Have you any orders to give, Your Majesty?"
Alexander III:"Orders? Yes of course. The police have apparently lost their heads. The army will take charge of the situation. I shall confer with my ministers at once at the Anichkoff place." (motions to his wife they walk out of the room)
(Scene shifts outside the palace Alexandr III walks out and the crowd cheers loudly "Urra!"  Alexander III walks in long strides to the carriage with his wife running behind him he stops at the curb salutes the crowd gets into the carriage with his wife and they drive off escorted by a regiment of don Cossacks as the crowd cheers. scene fades)

Note "" are actual quotes